These 4×4 adventure vans will get you off-grid

There is no cooler ride than an off-road adventure van for your wild camping escapades. If you enjoy living off-grid, driving on rough terrain, getting away from light pollution to stargaze and waking up to a spectacular landscape, then an off-road van might be the right camper for you.

Having a 4×4 camper means you will be able to travel further and get away from it all. They are designed to drive on icy, snowy, sandy, rocky or muddy roads and terrain with excellent traction. An off-road adventure van offers more freedom and easier maneuverability than an RV, fifth wheeler, trailer, standard van or motorhome.

What is an adventure van?

An adventure van is a hybrid between a camper van and a more rugged 4×4 vehicle. They typically offer some basic comforts and the off-road capabilities of a 4×4.

There are many models on the market to cater for different needs – from small off-road vans that provide an easy-to-move camp, to larger 4×4 campers featuring the amenities more commonly found on an RV. And while many of these vehicles come with a pretty hefty price tag, you’ll find there are some budget-friendly options too. Whichever kind you choose, you’ll be able to get off-grid in no time.

The benefits of a 4×4 camper van

Courtesy of Winnebago Industries, Inc. Unauthorized use not permitted.

Buying an adventure van is a big commitment, so before you start window shopping for 4×4 camper vans for sale, let’s look at the positives and negatives of adventure vans. Here are the key benefits of 4×4 campers explained.

You can go further

It goes without saying – a 4×4 camper van will allow you to travel further, to wilder and less-traveled places. No need to stick to popular camping spots. If you seek unspoiled nature and solitude, an adventure van will allow you to find them.

You can take your adventure gear with you

4×4 vans are often designed for adventurous people, who prefer to get out in the wilderness and go mountain biking, surfing or rock climbing, rather than setting up a comfortable camp to read a book. If you chose an adventure van, you’ll be able to carry your favorite gear with you. Most 4×4 campers are designed to be modular and space efficient. Some models can even carry a motorbike!

Cheaper to maintain than a motorhome or trailer

Most off-road vans are built with fewer comforts than an RV, fifth wheeler or motorhome. While this might put some people off, it is a considerable advantage – a camper with less complicated systems is easier and cheaper to maintain.

Easy to store

Many adventure van models are rather compact, which makes them easy to store and park, even in towns and cities. Their maneuverability also helps driving them around in tighter spaces.

Easier to stealth camp

Some 4×4 camper vans for sale look similar to mini buses, 8-seaters, transport vans or family vans, so they fit in well in an urban setting. For this reason, you might find it easier to stealth camp in one of these vehicles when you’re back in town – they blend in well in parking lots and residential areas.

Fun driving

When looking for the right camping vehicle, having fun driving isn’t usually a priority, but come on! Driving an off-road van on uneven terrain, splashing around in puddles and feeling the gravel move under the wheels is so much fun. It surely counts for something, right?

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The downsides of a 4×4 camper van

Photo courtesy Sportsmobile

While 4×4 campers are definitely one of the coolest rides around, there are also some drawbacks to bear in mind when considering a purchase. Let’s look at the main downsides of 4×4 camper vans.

Living space

There isn’t a whole load of living space in an adventure van – much of the room is dedicated to carrying gear. Lots of models come without standing headroom, as they are built as a means of transport that can turn into a bedroom, if you need it.

Comforts

With the living space of most off-grid vans being smaller, you’ll also have to ditch some of the comforts found in a bigger camper. This means no toilet or shower and, sometimes, no sofa to chill on.

They are more suited to short trips

If you go for a traditional off-grid van with limited living space and few comforts, you may not be able to take it on long trips. The lack of amenities, such as a bathroom and kitchenette, makes this vehicle more suitable for weekend trips and holidays.

Want to rent a 4×4 van to check it out? Use the coupon code wayward40 to get $40 off any rental with Outdoorsy.

Check out these 4×4 camper vans for sale

There are lots of different 4×4 camper vans for sale to choose from, many of them great. These are our absolute favorites.

1) Sportsmobile Classic Adventure Van – From $90,000

This certainly looks like a serious adventure van! The Sportsmobile Classic takes the Ford Cutaway body and molds it with a fiberglass shell, all reinforced with steel. Just looking at it transports you to a sandy desert race or mountain lake.

What makes the Sportsmobile our number one? The impressive off-road and towing capabilities and the super solid construction. It also comes with a variety of comforts, including a galley with microwave and fridge, a hidden electric toilet, a solar panel, a sofa and more. These essentially make it a 4×4 camper. However, if you prefer to dedicate more space to your gear, you can order a model with a different floor plan, or a custom model.

If you’re looking for a hybrid between a classic nomadic van with your chosen comforts and a 4×4 vehicle, then this Sprinter 4×4 camper is the real deal. It features most of the luxuries you find on a motorhome but is still rugged and easily maneuverable.

Outside Van custom builds each van, so you can pick your favorite options – from a fully kitted galley with sink and overhead cabinetry, to a 3-panel bed and bunk beds. You could set this van up just like those you see on YouTube (#VanLife, anyone?), with the added bonus of the four-wheel drive. You can either give them your own Mercedes Sprinter van (they accept Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, Ford Transits, Nissan NVs, and RAM ProMasters that are 2007 or newer), or buy one from them; their designers will guide you in deciding on the floorplan and options.

Own a minivan which you’d like to turn into an adventure van? Then you need to check out Oasis Campervans. They can transform your Toyota Sienna or Dodge Grand Caravan into a camper full of comforts.

You can go for a full conversion with a kitchenette, double bed, running water and more, or you can opt for a partial conversion to save money. This features all the frames in place, the kitchen, bed platform and storage space. You can then put your DIY skills to use and add any extras you may want.

4) Winnebago 4wd Revel Van – From $149,299

Do you dream of a modern-looking adventure van that comes with all the comforts of home? The Revel Van by Winnebago might be what you’re looking for. This van will take you off-road, with a toilet and shower, a kitchen with sink and fridge and a solar panel. No need to rough it on the Revel! There’s even a wind sensor that retracts the patio awning in case the wind gets gusty.

Oh and don’t worry about carrying capacity – the double bed lifts away to create a garage for bikes or any gear you want to take with you. Even the bathroom doubles up as a storage space – just slide in the shelves and you have gained an extra cabinet.

5) Winnebago Boltd – From $198,614

How luxurious can an adventure van get? As luxurious as a Boltd. Inspired by German explorer and naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, the Boltd by Winnebago is an up-market option for a bigger 4×4 camper van.

This off-grid beast features the Pure³ Advanced Energy System, which generates up to a staggering 11,600 watt-hours of power. This means you can really go anywhere, for however long, on the Boltd. With a generous bed, wardrobe, wet bathroom, full campervan kitchen and sofa, you can set up camp in the wilderness without giving up modern comforts. And while there is plenty of living space in the camper, there’s also a dedicated trunk storage compartment for your gear.

6) 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter van with a DIY conversion – From $25,000

If the adventure van of your dreams doesn’t exist yet, you can build your own, DIY, for a much lower price tag than most models available on the market. Just buy your own 4×4 Sprinter van, design your perfect floorplan and start building.

Think about it: you could save up to $75,000 (depending on how minimalist you go with your conversion), you’d know the van inside out and you’d have the satisfaction of building your own. Maintenance will be cheaper too, as you will likely be able to fix almost everything you installed yourself.

Buy The Sprinter RV Conversion Sourcebook here – it contains over 370 pages with pictures and descriptions on how to convert your 4×4 sprinter van into an off-grid camper, DIY. The purchase will get you the e-book, plus free future updated editions.

7) Budget option: Chevy Astro AWD – Around $6,000

Weight: Varies depending on how you build and kit the interior.

Features: Budget-friendly, agile, custom interior and sleeps 2.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider the good old Chevy Astro AWD. You can buy a converted one, or convert your own to fit your needs. You could go totally minimalistic and choose to have a bed plus storage space, or you can add overhead cabinets and other luxuries. Some Chevy Astro Vans have been converted with a permanent double bed and a small kitchen with sink.

Alternatives to a 4×4 camper van

Do you feel like these 4×4 camper van options aren’t right for you? Maybe you just want your own a vehicle that you can transform into an adventure van at the weekend or for the holidays?

A pop-up truck camper is an ideal solution for those who prefer a compact, low-profile and agile vehicle for boondocking. The best bit? You can remove it in half an hour.

We love the Hawk Model by Four Wheel Campers. It comes in different floorplans that accommodate either more sleeping or sitting space. The Hawk features a kitchen with sink and worktop. The headroom is impressive at 6′ 6″ and, even though there isn’t much living space, it can sleep up to 4 people.

Find out more about Four Wheel Campers and their models here.

2) A Land Cruiser with a rooftop tent – From $1,500 (excluding the Land Rover)

Features: Easy to set up, comfortable mattress, allows using all the space on the Land Cruiser for carrying gear.

Big fan of Land Cruisers and minimalist wild camping? Then you should consider a rooftop tent for a Land Cruiser. Installing a rooftop tent doesn’t require any special skills; you can just buy a compatible tent and follow the instructions. This is an easy set-up that will allow you to move your camp around easily.

What makes this option better than tent camping? Rooftop tents come with a mattress, which makes them way more comfortable to sleep in. You won’t have to look for the perfect even terrain to set up camp – just stop the Land Rover in a good flat spot and pop the tent open.

If you like the concept of a rooftop tent but not the idea of having to be outdoors when going to bed, you could opt for a Jeep Camper by Ursa Minor Vehicles. It’s a little like having a permanent, easy-to-set-up rooftop tent with indoor standing headroom.

Another advantage? There’s still space to mount your favorite gear on the roof – from a surfboard or kayak to skis or a bike. Their streamlined design minimizes wind noise and keeps you safe in a blow.

4 wheel drive conversions

Finally, if you already have the perfect off-grid van, RV, or camper, but you just wish you could take it off-road, why not consider a 4-wheel drive conversion? This entails replacing the axles, hubs, transmission, driveshafts, wheels, tires and some suspension components of the vehicle. It would be a great solution is you love your current van and can’t face the thought of changing vehicle.

You can employ a company to do the conversion (check out Quigley and Agile Offroad) or you can buy a kit and do it yourself if you have welding experience (check out U-joint Offroad).

Ready to venture further on a 4×4 camper?

If you crave escaping to the wilderness and exploring further, an adventure van may be just right for you. You can set up camp deep into a forest, have fun driving off-road in the mountains or stargaze in the desert.

A 4×4 camper will let you access wild places to pursue your favorite adventure hobbies – rock climbing, surfing, mountain biking, paragliding, and more. And while not all models are affordable, you can always go for a Chevy Astro AWD, a Land Rover with a rooftop tent, a DIY conversion of a Sprinter van or a Jeep pop-up camper.

We expect the 4 wheel option for vans to become more popular in the future, as more and more people worry about maneuverability and uphill performance. So the options for adventure vans are bound to increase.

About Elena Manighetti

I spent my childhood holidays exploring Europe on my parents’ motorhome. Now, I live, work and travel on a sailboat with my husband Ryan. If you like, you can follow us on our YouTube channel, where we’re documenting refitting and cruising on our Tayana 37.

Hi, I'm Kristin Hanes! I live in a sailboat and in a van, and am editor-in-chief of The Wayward Home, a site all about a new type of American Dream. Stick around to learn about campervans, RV living, sailboats and tiny homes. Head to my About Me page to learn more.

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